New Brahma Group: Blue Partridge x Partridge, Plus Dark

[speckledhen]

The first Brahma eggs are very close! This is Bailey making a nice round place for her bottom, really acting like she is going to give us a gift before the end of the day. Didn't I say she looked like she'd be first?
Unless I'm mistaken, they'll be 27 weeks old on Wednesday.

 

[Sjisty]

Yay Bailey!

 

[itspebbl]

Yay!!! It's been a long time coming...

 

[speckledhen]

It's not here just yet. She got off without laying, but I can tell she's gearing up for it.

 

[Sjisty]

She's practicing.

 

[speckledhen]

She's practicing.

And Bash was helping. He was sitting on the edge of the nest when I went in to check waterers. He's never shown interest in that spot before Bailey did. I guess he considers Bailey his girl.

 

[Sjisty]

Awww, he loves his sissy - kinky!

 

[speckledhen]

Awww, he loves his sissy - kinky!

Well, you know the chicken world is very incestuous. It's not as bad as Apollo's mother also being his grandmother, his father is also his half brother, and his grandfather is also his half brother. Ack! Are you dizzy yet?

Rex, Atlas and Apollo are all sons of Ida. Rex is Atlas's sire, Apollo's grandsire.

 

[speckledhen]

DH let out the Brahmas and the two small young Barred Rock groups led by Hector and Apollo. Bruno went after one of the BR girls and he said Apollo saw it and went airborne, flew probably 15 feet in the air, came down in the middle of the group, everyone scattered...except Bailey. She squatted for Apollo and Apollo mated her. Bruno was close and wanted so badly to knock Apollo off his girl, but he just didn't have the courage. Guess I'd better start separating the Brahmas from the Barred Rocks when the Brahmas begin laying.

 

[speckledhen]

She did it! Bailey's first egg came today! Sorry for the grainy photo-did not realize my flash was off.



Now, I have to separate the Brahmas from the BRs since Apollo has his eye on those girls. Hector is only interested in keeping them away from his, maybe because he has spent most of his life with them, but Apollo is very drawn to them.